Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott Campus is now under the leadership of Dr. Ken Witcher, who became chancellor at the beginning of the year after serving in an interim capacity in the role since July 2024.
Witcher said his love for aviation and aerospace, in conjunction with his service to students, is his north star.
“When I wake up each day, I have a mission to contribute to something bigger than myself,” he said. “Our students are laser-focused on their future careers, mainly in the aviation and aerospace sectors — whether that’s through flight, engineering, safety or security. I’m humbled and honored to serve them as they prepare to change the world.”
Prior to his role leading the Prescott campus, he served for more than a decade as dean of Embry-Riddle’s College of Aviation — Worldwide, leading a team of over 700 active faculty supporting over 14,000 students. He has been a faculty member since 2004.
Witcher’s aviation experience includes 20 years of service in the United States Air Force. During this time, he served as superintendent of an operational test and evaluation squadron and field training detachment chief for F-15, F-16, F-22, H-60, A-10, MQ-1 and MQ-9 aircraft and supporting systems. He also served as a team member of the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, Thunderbirds. His assignments included Bitburg Air Base in Germany, Luke Air Force Base in Arizona and Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.
He was an appointed member of the Nevada UAS test site selection panel and previously served as Chair of the Nevada Aerospace and Defense Sector Council reporting directly to the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board.
He received his Master of Aeronautical Science degree from ERAU and earned his Ph.D. in Aviation Science/Public Administration from Northcentral University. He is a Fellow FRAeS, the highest grade of membership in the Royal Aeronautical Society, awarded to members with outstanding contributions in the field of aviation and aerospace.
ERAU President P. Barry Butler, Ph.D., praised Witcher’s leadership: “Our Prescott Campus is an integral part of our university community, and the commitment Dr. Witcher has shown to both the campus and our university leadership team is a testament to his unwavering service and steadfast dedication to Embry-Riddle.
“It is my honor to recognize Dr. Witcher’s past achievements as we look forward to his contributions to the future of our Prescott campus.”
The campus currently is undergoing significant modernization, including the expanded Robertson Flight Simulation Center, upgrades to its wind tunnel and facility and a new student union and residence hall, which will be unveiled in 2026.
ERAU is one of the top aerospace and aviation schools in the nation with campuses in Prescott and Daytona Beach, Florida. The Prescott campus continues to win top slots in the U.S. News and World Report annual college rankings, including No. 1 in Best Undergraduate Aerospace Engineering program.
